Sadiq Khan calls on London employers to reduce mental health stigma

As part of his drive to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Londoners, the Mayor today took part in a Mental Health First Aid training session and called on all employers to make mental health training programmes available to their staff.

Sadiq’s deputy mayors joined him for the training session at City Hall, which is designed to equip them with the skills to recognise if a colleague, friend or family member is struggling with a mental health issue and be able to offer appropriate support.

Research reveals that Londoners report a lower level of life satisfaction, wellbeing and feeling of self-worth than the national average1 and every week, more than 14 Londoners take their own lives2. In the UK, approximately one in four people will experience a mental health problem each year3 and suicide is the leading cause of death in people aged between 15 and 24 and the biggest killer of men under 494. Mental ill-health also costs UK businesses £26 billion per year5 and is the leading cause of sickness-related absence6.

The Mayor has vowed to help improve the mental health of all Londoners and is encouraging employers to make mental health training programmes available to their staff. Through the training, Sadiq hopes to reduce the impact of mental health problems in the workplace, equip front-line staff to recognise mental health issues in members of the public and reduce the overall stigma associated with individuals talking about their mental health to their peers.

The Mayor is responsible for Transport for London, whose workers are regularly offered mental health and trauma support training to enable them to offer support to their colleagues and passengers on the network.